×
Deadspin | No. 6 Purdue eyes better start in Marquette matchup

Deadspin | No. 6 Purdue eyes better start in Marquette matchup

Sports news

Dec 10, 2025; West Lafayette, Indiana, USA; Purdue Boilermakers guard Braden Smith (3) jukes Minnesota Golden Gophers forward Cade Tyson (10) during the second half at Mackey Arena. Mandatory Credit: Marc Lebryk-Imagn Images

Sixth-ranked Purdue will be looking to build on a decisive bounce-back victory when it hosts Marquette in a nonconference game on Saturday in West Lafayette, Ind.

Purdue (9-1) defeated visiting Minnesota 85-57 on Wednesday, led by a dominant second half after holding a 35-32 edge at the break. The Boilermakers were coming off their first loss of the season, 81-58 to then-No. 10 Iowa State on Dec. 6, a result that dropped them out of the top spot in the poll.

“I didn’t walk away from the Iowa State game and say, ‘Well, we’re not No. 1 anymore,'” Painter said following the Minnesota game. “I walked away from the Iowa State game saying we got our ass kicked and how could I have stopped that?”

Purdue opened the second half against Minnesota with a decisive 21-0 run, the Boilermakers’ third run of 20-0 or longer this season.

“Obviously you can’t go on runs like that unless you get stops,” Painter said. “And so, I thought our attention to detail defensively was pretty good.”

Purdue’s Braden Smith, Trey Kaufman-Renn and Oscar Cluff each finished with a double-double.

Smith had 15 points with 12 assists, six rebounds, five steals and two blocks. Kaufman-Renn recorded his fifth double-double this season with 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Cluff had his third double-double of the season with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Purdue averages 85.2 points per game while allowing 67.9. The Boilermakers have been dominant on the glass, outrebounding opponents by 10.4 per game.

Fletcher Loyer averages a team-high 14.0 points per game for the Boilermakers, while Kaufman-Renn adds 13.9 points and 10.6 boards. Cluff averages 11.4 points and 9.1 rebounds, and Smith contributes 13.3 points and 8.8 assists — the latter figure ranking second in the nation.

Marquette (5-5) has been inconsistent in losing four of its past six games. The Golden Gophers are coming off a 96-76 nonconference road loss against in-state rival Wisconsin on Dec. 6.

The Golden Eagles hit just one of their first 13 shots against Wisconsin and one of their first 12 3-point attempts. In their previous game, a 75-72 overtime home win over Valparaiso, Marquette started 1 of 13 from beyond the arc.

Marquette scored eight of its 10 points in overtime from the free-throw line to beat the Beacons. Against the Badgers, the Golden Eagles made just 9 of 19 shots from the stripe.

The Golden Eagles average 80.9 points while giving up 76.4, but they are shooting just 42.5% on the season, including 31.1% from 3-point range.

Marquette shot 42% against Wisconsin after shooting just 35% against Valparaiso. In three of their losses, the Golden Eagles shot 38.5% or less.

“I thought we got a lot of good shots that did not go in,” Marquette coach Shaka Smart said following the Wisconsin game. “So far the story of our season. So we’ve got to get better at making those, and we will.”

Chase Ross averages 19.5 points per game, freshman Nigel James Jr. adds 12.2 points and Ben Gold chips in with 9.5 points and team-best 7.2 rebounds.

Marquette defeated Purdue 76-58 last season in Milwaukee behind a triple-double by Kam Jones.

“We have been blessed and fortunate to have some really good teams of late, and this team’s behind those teams right now,” Smart said. “That’s a fact. And we need to get better and we will.”

–Field Level Media

Source link
#Deadspin #Purdue #eyes #start #Marquette #matchup

Related Posts

Deadspin | Blue Jays to use new bullpen approach vs. Guardians Apr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Toronto Blue Jays will be going to a closer-by-committee if the situation arises Saturday afternoon against the visiting Cleveland Guardians. Jeff Hoffman has struggled as the closer this season and he was told Friday by manager John Schneider that the team will mix-and-match for now instead of putting the onus on one particular pitcher in the ninth inning. “It’s still finding spots for guys, so whoever that may be in the ninth inning, for now, it’ll be that guy,” Schneider said. The Blue Jays did not need a closer in their 8-6 loss to Cleveland on Friday in the opener of the three-game series. Toronto fell behind 5-0 and never had a lead. Hoffman understood the move, saying there are other relievers pitching better than him currently. The right-hander is 3-for-6 on save chances to go with a 1-2 record and a 7.59 ERA. “That gives them the nod to go out there and do it for the group,” he said. “I’m good for whatever is going to put us in the best position to win as many games as possible.” Schneider said, “I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that he’s striking out half the hitters he’s facing. There’s a component to it where you want to just stop some momentum, and we’re still going to use him in big spots.” The Blue Jays will look to bounce back when they send out right-hander Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.54 ERA) on Saturday. Gausman is 5-5 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) against Cleveland. Last season, he was 1-0 with 0.00 ERA in two starts vs. the Guardians, allowing three hits, two walks and one hit batter while striking out 15 in 14 innings. Left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0, 3.20 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Guardians. He has pitched one-third of an inning in his career against Toronto, retiring the only batter he faced last season. The Guardians expect to have struggling Steven Kwan back in the lineup on Saturday after he didn’t start on Friday. Kwan, who is batting .227 (22-for-97) with one homer and eight RBIs, did enter the game as a ninth-inning defensive replacement in the series opener. “We were looking to get him two days off and one of them on the (Rogers Centre) turf,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We just wanted to give him a chance to reset the legs. Playing center field is a new beast. We just wanted to give him two days to get his body back underneath him.” Kwan, a four-time Gold Glove left fielder, has been playing mostly in center this season. “I don’t think moving between left and center field has affected his offense,” Vogt said, “but it’s a new workload that he’s never had in the big leagues. I wouldn’t read any more into this day off other than we wanted to get him two days off by using the off day (Thursday).” It worked out well. Daniel Schneemann replaced Kwan in the leadoff spot on Friday and Angel Martinez started in center field. Schneemann, batting leadoff for the first time this season, led off the game with a home run against Max Scherzer. He also walked and doubled. Martinez hit two-run homers in the first and third innings. Toronto lost Nathan Lukes in the first inning Friday when he left the game with what the team announced was left hamstring discomfort. Schneider said the outfielder was to going have an MRI. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #bullpen #approach #GuardiansApr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

The Toronto Blue Jays will be going to a closer-by-committee if the situation arises Saturday afternoon against the visiting Cleveland Guardians.

Jeff Hoffman has struggled as the closer this season and he was told Friday by manager John Schneider that the team will mix-and-match for now instead of putting the onus on one particular pitcher in the ninth inning.

“It’s still finding spots for guys, so whoever that may be in the ninth inning, for now, it’ll be that guy,” Schneider said.

The Blue Jays did not need a closer in their 8-6 loss to Cleveland on Friday in the opener of the three-game series. Toronto fell behind 5-0 and never had a lead.

Hoffman understood the move, saying there are other relievers pitching better than him currently. The right-hander is 3-for-6 on save chances to go with a 1-2 record and a 7.59 ERA.

“That gives them the nod to go out there and do it for the group,” he said. “I’m good for whatever is going to put us in the best position to win as many games as possible.”

Schneider said, “I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that he’s striking out half the hitters he’s facing. There’s a component to it where you want to just stop some momentum, and we’re still going to use him in big spots.”

The Blue Jays will look to bounce back when they send out right-hander Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.54 ERA) on Saturday. Gausman is 5-5 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) against Cleveland. Last season, he was 1-0 with 0.00 ERA in two starts vs. the Guardians, allowing three hits, two walks and one hit batter while striking out 15 in 14 innings.


Left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0, 3.20 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Guardians. He has pitched one-third of an inning in his career against Toronto, retiring the only batter he faced last season.

The Guardians expect to have struggling Steven Kwan back in the lineup on Saturday after he didn’t start on Friday. Kwan, who is batting .227 (22-for-97) with one homer and eight RBIs, did enter the game as a ninth-inning defensive replacement in the series opener.

“We were looking to get him two days off and one of them on the (Rogers Centre) turf,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We just wanted to give him a chance to reset the legs. Playing center field is a new beast. We just wanted to give him two days to get his body back underneath him.”

Kwan, a four-time Gold Glove left fielder, has been playing mostly in center this season.

“I don’t think moving between left and center field has affected his offense,” Vogt said, “but it’s a new workload that he’s never had in the big leagues. I wouldn’t read any more into this day off other than we wanted to get him two days off by using the off day (Thursday).”

It worked out well. Daniel Schneemann replaced Kwan in the leadoff spot on Friday and Angel Martinez started in center field.

Schneemann, batting leadoff for the first time this season, led off the game with a home run against Max Scherzer. He also walked and doubled.

Martinez hit two-run homers in the first and third innings.

Toronto lost Nathan Lukes in the first inning Friday when he left the game with what the team announced was left hamstring discomfort. Schneider said the outfielder was to going have an MRI.


–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Blue #Jays #bullpen #approach #Guardians">Deadspin | Blue Jays to use new bullpen approach vs. Guardians Apr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Kevin Gausman against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images The Toronto Blue Jays will be going to a closer-by-committee if the situation arises Saturday afternoon against the visiting Cleveland Guardians. Jeff Hoffman has struggled as the closer this season and he was told Friday by manager John Schneider that the team will mix-and-match for now instead of putting the onus on one particular pitcher in the ninth inning. “It’s still finding spots for guys, so whoever that may be in the ninth inning, for now, it’ll be that guy,” Schneider said. The Blue Jays did not need a closer in their 8-6 loss to Cleveland on Friday in the opener of the three-game series. Toronto fell behind 5-0 and never had a lead. Hoffman understood the move, saying there are other relievers pitching better than him currently. The right-hander is 3-for-6 on save chances to go with a 1-2 record and a 7.59 ERA. “That gives them the nod to go out there and do it for the group,” he said. “I’m good for whatever is going to put us in the best position to win as many games as possible.” Schneider said, “I don’t want to lose sight of the fact that he’s striking out half the hitters he’s facing. There’s a component to it where you want to just stop some momentum, and we’re still going to use him in big spots.” The Blue Jays will look to bounce back when they send out right-hander Kevin Gausman (1-1, 2.54 ERA) on Saturday. Gausman is 5-5 with a 2.30 ERA in 11 games (10 starts) against Cleveland. Last season, he was 1-0 with 0.00 ERA in two starts vs. the Guardians, allowing three hits, two walks and one hit batter while striking out 15 in 14 innings. Left-hander Joey Cantillo (1-0, 3.20 ERA) is scheduled to start for the Guardians. He has pitched one-third of an inning in his career against Toronto, retiring the only batter he faced last season. The Guardians expect to have struggling Steven Kwan back in the lineup on Saturday after he didn’t start on Friday. Kwan, who is batting .227 (22-for-97) with one homer and eight RBIs, did enter the game as a ninth-inning defensive replacement in the series opener. “We were looking to get him two days off and one of them on the (Rogers Centre) turf,” Guardians manager Stephen Vogt said. “We just wanted to give him a chance to reset the legs. Playing center field is a new beast. We just wanted to give him two days to get his body back underneath him.” Kwan, a four-time Gold Glove left fielder, has been playing mostly in center this season. “I don’t think moving between left and center field has affected his offense,” Vogt said, “but it’s a new workload that he’s never had in the big leagues. I wouldn’t read any more into this day off other than we wanted to get him two days off by using the off day (Thursday).” It worked out well. Daniel Schneemann replaced Kwan in the leadoff spot on Friday and Angel Martinez started in center field. Schneemann, batting leadoff for the first time this season, led off the game with a home run against Max Scherzer. He also walked and doubled. Martinez hit two-run homers in the first and third innings. Toronto lost Nathan Lukes in the first inning Friday when he left the game with what the team announced was left hamstring discomfort. Schneider said the outfielder was to going have an MRI. –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Blue #Jays #bullpen #approach #Guardians

Welsh football great Aaron Ramsey hung up his boots earlier this month but that did not mean easing up as on Sunday he will don his running shoes and compete in the London Marathon — for a charitable cause.

The 35-year-old former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder will be running to raise funds for It’s Never You, a charity founded by his friends, Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis.

Their son, Hugh, died aged just six from a rare cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, on September 18, 2021.

Ramsey, prior to announcing he was running in the marathon, had already raised £25,000 (USD 34,000) in previous years, said his son used to play with Hugh.

“As a charity, it’s really close to my heart,” Ramsey told BBC Wales.

“I know Ceri and Fran and their family. I knew Hugh very well. My eldest boy, Sonny, is a similar age and they used to play with each other.

READ | London Marathon in talks to stage 2027 race over two days

“I can’t imagine what they went through and what they are going through, but they’ve been an absolute inspiration to me, my family and many others.”

Ramsey, capped 86 times and a key member of the Wales side that reached the Euro 2016 semifinals though he was suspended for the last four defeat by eventual champion Portugal, will run alongside Ceri.

“They’ve (Ceri and Frances) done an unbelievable job in what they’ve done so far, and I know they’re only just getting started,” said Ramsey.

“They’ve accomplished so much, and to see their drive and passion to try and make a difference in Hugh’s memory is very inspiring.

“Now I’m retired, it frees me up a little bit more to be able to do these things.”

‘Grief weighs’

Ramsey, who won the FA Cup three times with Arsenal, said training for a marathon had been a very different challenge.

“I’m excited,” he said.

“Training’s been difficult, when the rain’s coming down and it’s wet and windy, and it can be quite a lonely place sometimes.

“But actually, I’ve enjoyed it in a weird way, being in the trenches a little bit.”

Hugh will be there or at least his shoes wll be round Ceri’s shoulders — the pair he wore when he was admitted to hospital but as Ceri said “sadly never came out”.

Ceri will also have the names of 500 seriously ill children inscribed on his back.

“He was the most amazing, brave, courageous young boy,” said Ceri.

“The reason I do marathons is, just before Hugh died, I stupidly put myself in for a marathon in 2021.

“I never thought I’d get in but I got in, started training for it and Hugh never got to see me run that marathon because I did it two weeks after he died, and we buried him the next day with my medal.”

It is not the first marathon that Ceri has run with the shoes round his shoulders.

“I did Paris with his shoes,” said Ceri.

“He never got to see Paris so I showed him the Eiffel Tower and we had a chat all the way round.

“In London, he’ll be there with me on my shoulders and we’ll cross the finish line together.”

The shoes will be considerably lighter than what he carried last year.

“I carried a 22-kilo rucksack, which was the weight Hugh was when he passed away,” said Ceri. “That was to display what grief weighs on you as a parent.”

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#Welsh #football #legend #Aaron #Ramsey #run #London #Marathon #charity">Welsh football legend Aaron Ramsey to run in London Marathon for charity Welsh football great Aaron Ramsey hung up his boots earlier this month but that did not mean easing up as on Sunday he will don his running shoes and compete in the London Marathon — for a charitable cause.The 35-year-old former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder will be running to raise funds for It’s Never You, a charity founded by his friends, Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis.Their son, Hugh, died aged just six from a rare cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, on September 18, 2021.Ramsey, prior to announcing he was running in the marathon, had already raised £25,000 (USD 34,000) in previous years, said his son used to play with Hugh.“As a charity, it’s really close to my heart,” Ramsey told BBC Wales.“I know Ceri and Fran and their family. I knew Hugh very well. My eldest boy, Sonny, is a similar age and they used to play with each other.READ | London Marathon in talks to stage 2027 race over two days“I can’t imagine what they went through and what they are going through, but they’ve been an absolute inspiration to me, my family and many others.”Ramsey, capped 86 times and a key member of the Wales side that reached the Euro 2016 semifinals though he was suspended for the last four defeat by eventual champion Portugal, will run alongside Ceri.“They’ve (Ceri and Frances) done an unbelievable job in what they’ve done so far, and I know they’re only just getting started,” said Ramsey.“They’ve accomplished so much, and to see their drive and passion to try and make a difference in Hugh’s memory is very inspiring.“Now I’m retired, it frees me up a little bit more to be able to do these things.”‘Grief weighs’Ramsey, who won the FA Cup three times with Arsenal, said training for a marathon had been a very different challenge.“I’m excited,” he said.“Training’s been difficult, when the rain’s coming down and it’s wet and windy, and it can be quite a lonely place sometimes.“But actually, I’ve enjoyed it in a weird way, being in the trenches a little bit.”Hugh will be there or at least his shoes wll be round Ceri’s shoulders — the pair he wore when he was admitted to hospital but as Ceri said “sadly never came out”.Ceri will also have the names of 500 seriously ill children inscribed on his back.“He was the most amazing, brave, courageous young boy,” said Ceri.“The reason I do marathons is, just before Hugh died, I stupidly put myself in for a marathon in 2021.“I never thought I’d get in but I got in, started training for it and Hugh never got to see me run that marathon because I did it two weeks after he died, and we buried him the next day with my medal.”It is not the first marathon that Ceri has run with the shoes round his shoulders.“I did Paris with his shoes,” said Ceri.“He never got to see Paris so I showed him the Eiffel Tower and we had a chat all the way round.“In London, he’ll be there with me on my shoulders and we’ll cross the finish line together.”The shoes will be considerably lighter than what he carried last year.“I carried a 22-kilo rucksack, which was the weight Hugh was when he passed away,” said Ceri. “That was to display what grief weighs on you as a parent.”Published on Apr 25, 2026 #Welsh #football #legend #Aaron #Ramsey #run #London #Marathon #charity

London Marathon in talks to stage 2027 race over two days

“I can’t imagine what they went through and what they are going through, but they’ve been an absolute inspiration to me, my family and many others.”

Ramsey, capped 86 times and a key member of the Wales side that reached the Euro 2016 semifinals though he was suspended for the last four defeat by eventual champion Portugal, will run alongside Ceri.

“They’ve (Ceri and Frances) done an unbelievable job in what they’ve done so far, and I know they’re only just getting started,” said Ramsey.

“They’ve accomplished so much, and to see their drive and passion to try and make a difference in Hugh’s memory is very inspiring.

“Now I’m retired, it frees me up a little bit more to be able to do these things.”

‘Grief weighs’

Ramsey, who won the FA Cup three times with Arsenal, said training for a marathon had been a very different challenge.

“I’m excited,” he said.

“Training’s been difficult, when the rain’s coming down and it’s wet and windy, and it can be quite a lonely place sometimes.

“But actually, I’ve enjoyed it in a weird way, being in the trenches a little bit.”

Hugh will be there or at least his shoes wll be round Ceri’s shoulders — the pair he wore when he was admitted to hospital but as Ceri said “sadly never came out”.

Ceri will also have the names of 500 seriously ill children inscribed on his back.

“He was the most amazing, brave, courageous young boy,” said Ceri.

“The reason I do marathons is, just before Hugh died, I stupidly put myself in for a marathon in 2021.

“I never thought I’d get in but I got in, started training for it and Hugh never got to see me run that marathon because I did it two weeks after he died, and we buried him the next day with my medal.”

It is not the first marathon that Ceri has run with the shoes round his shoulders.

“I did Paris with his shoes,” said Ceri.

“He never got to see Paris so I showed him the Eiffel Tower and we had a chat all the way round.

“In London, he’ll be there with me on my shoulders and we’ll cross the finish line together.”

The shoes will be considerably lighter than what he carried last year.

“I carried a 22-kilo rucksack, which was the weight Hugh was when he passed away,” said Ceri. “That was to display what grief weighs on you as a parent.”

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#Welsh #football #legend #Aaron #Ramsey #run #London #Marathon #charity">Welsh football legend Aaron Ramsey to run in London Marathon for charity

Welsh football great Aaron Ramsey hung up his boots earlier this month but that did not mean easing up as on Sunday he will don his running shoes and compete in the London Marathon — for a charitable cause.

The 35-year-old former Arsenal and Juventus midfielder will be running to raise funds for It’s Never You, a charity founded by his friends, Ceri and Frances Menai-Davis.

Their son, Hugh, died aged just six from a rare cancer, rhabdomyosarcoma, on September 18, 2021.

Ramsey, prior to announcing he was running in the marathon, had already raised £25,000 (USD 34,000) in previous years, said his son used to play with Hugh.

“As a charity, it’s really close to my heart,” Ramsey told BBC Wales.

“I know Ceri and Fran and their family. I knew Hugh very well. My eldest boy, Sonny, is a similar age and they used to play with each other.

READ | London Marathon in talks to stage 2027 race over two days

“I can’t imagine what they went through and what they are going through, but they’ve been an absolute inspiration to me, my family and many others.”

Ramsey, capped 86 times and a key member of the Wales side that reached the Euro 2016 semifinals though he was suspended for the last four defeat by eventual champion Portugal, will run alongside Ceri.

“They’ve (Ceri and Frances) done an unbelievable job in what they’ve done so far, and I know they’re only just getting started,” said Ramsey.

“They’ve accomplished so much, and to see their drive and passion to try and make a difference in Hugh’s memory is very inspiring.

“Now I’m retired, it frees me up a little bit more to be able to do these things.”

‘Grief weighs’

Ramsey, who won the FA Cup three times with Arsenal, said training for a marathon had been a very different challenge.

“I’m excited,” he said.

“Training’s been difficult, when the rain’s coming down and it’s wet and windy, and it can be quite a lonely place sometimes.

“But actually, I’ve enjoyed it in a weird way, being in the trenches a little bit.”

Hugh will be there or at least his shoes wll be round Ceri’s shoulders — the pair he wore when he was admitted to hospital but as Ceri said “sadly never came out”.

Ceri will also have the names of 500 seriously ill children inscribed on his back.

“He was the most amazing, brave, courageous young boy,” said Ceri.

“The reason I do marathons is, just before Hugh died, I stupidly put myself in for a marathon in 2021.

“I never thought I’d get in but I got in, started training for it and Hugh never got to see me run that marathon because I did it two weeks after he died, and we buried him the next day with my medal.”

It is not the first marathon that Ceri has run with the shoes round his shoulders.

“I did Paris with his shoes,” said Ceri.

“He never got to see Paris so I showed him the Eiffel Tower and we had a chat all the way round.

“In London, he’ll be there with me on my shoulders and we’ll cross the finish line together.”

The shoes will be considerably lighter than what he carried last year.

“I carried a 22-kilo rucksack, which was the weight Hugh was when he passed away,” said Ceri. “That was to display what grief weighs on you as a parent.”

Published on Apr 25, 2026

#Welsh #football #legend #Aaron #Ramsey #run #London #Marathon #charity
Deadspin | Sizzling second baseman face off as Marlins, Giants meet again Apr 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards (9) hits a single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Two second basemen who have demonstrated early on that they’re serious about making the National League All-Star team hope to continue fast starts at the other’s expense Saturday afternoon when Xavier Edwards and the Miami Marlins once again visit Luis Arraez and the San Francisco Giants. Both players had three hits Friday night, and Edwards’ teammates collected 13 more in a 9-4 triumph during the opener of a three-game series. Miami posted its sixth straight win in San Francisco dating back to August 2024. With a double, two singles and a walk in five plate appearances, Edwards raised his season batting average to .347, the second-best mark in the majors. The three-hit game was the 26-year-old’s second of the season. He has logged multiple hits in 11 of his 26 games. Edwards is finding success despite bouncing around the batting order. He already has been slotted second, fourth and seventh for multiple games this season. He was in the cleanup spot for the Friday contest. “With X’s skill set, it makes it easy for me. I feel like I can put him anywhere with the combination of where other guys are,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said this week. “He’s a really good hitter, (and) as he’s continuing to get time in the major leagues, he’s getting better. He’s evolving.” Edwards has never batted against left-hander Robbie Ray (2-3, 2.86 ERA), the Giants’ scheduled Saturday starter. Ray will be making his 11th career start and 12th career appearance against the Marlins, against whom he is 4-5 with a 2.29 ERA. The 34-year-old veteran has been a victim of poor run support in all three of his losses this season. He allowed two runs in a 3-0 defeat to the New York Yankees, both runs in a 2-1 setback at Cincinnati and all three runs in a 3-0 loss at Washington on Sunday in his latest start. Similarly, Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (2-1, 4.15 ERA) has yet to face the Giants in his three-year career. Miami has won four times in five starts by Perez this season, the most of recent of which was his best outing of the young campaign. The 23-year-old held the Milwaukee Brewers to one run, which was unearned, over six innings on Sunday in a 5-3 home victory. Perez will have to deal with a hot-hitting Arraez, who had three singles in five at-bats on Friday. The only time the two faced off previous was last July, when Arraez was playing for the San Diego Padres. Perez induced two groundouts from Arraez, who managed a single. The three hits on Friday raised Arraez’s season average to .320, quite an improvement over his .211 mark through his first five games as a Giant. Arraez has hit .346 since then. “He’s found who he is,” Giants manager Tony Vitello said following the Friday contest. “He had some hard-contact outs early in the year. Maybe he didn’t have as much to show for it as maybe he deserved. He’s caught his rhythm.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sizzling #baseman #face #Marlins #Giants #meetApr 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards (9) hits a single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images

Two second basemen who have demonstrated early on that they’re serious about making the National League All-Star team hope to continue fast starts at the other’s expense Saturday afternoon when Xavier Edwards and the Miami Marlins once again visit Luis Arraez and the San Francisco Giants.

Both players had three hits Friday night, and Edwards’ teammates collected 13 more in a 9-4 triumph during the opener of a three-game series. Miami posted its sixth straight win in San Francisco dating back to August 2024.

With a double, two singles and a walk in five plate appearances, Edwards raised his season batting average to .347, the second-best mark in the majors.

The three-hit game was the 26-year-old’s second of the season. He has logged multiple hits in 11 of his 26 games.

Edwards is finding success despite bouncing around the batting order. He already has been slotted second, fourth and seventh for multiple games this season. He was in the cleanup spot for the Friday contest.

“With X’s skill set, it makes it easy for me. I feel like I can put him anywhere with the combination of where other guys are,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said this week. “He’s a really good hitter, (and) as he’s continuing to get time in the major leagues, he’s getting better. He’s evolving.”

Edwards has never batted against left-hander Robbie Ray (2-3, 2.86 ERA), the Giants’ scheduled Saturday starter. Ray will be making his 11th career start and 12th career appearance against the Marlins, against whom he is 4-5 with a 2.29 ERA.


The 34-year-old veteran has been a victim of poor run support in all three of his losses this season. He allowed two runs in a 3-0 defeat to the New York Yankees, both runs in a 2-1 setback at Cincinnati and all three runs in a 3-0 loss at Washington on Sunday in his latest start.

Similarly, Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (2-1, 4.15 ERA) has yet to face the Giants in his three-year career.

Miami has won four times in five starts by Perez this season, the most of recent of which was his best outing of the young campaign. The 23-year-old held the Milwaukee Brewers to one run, which was unearned, over six innings on Sunday in a 5-3 home victory.

Perez will have to deal with a hot-hitting Arraez, who had three singles in five at-bats on Friday. The only time the two faced off previous was last July, when Arraez was playing for the San Diego Padres. Perez induced two groundouts from Arraez, who managed a single.

The three hits on Friday raised Arraez’s season average to .320, quite an improvement over his .211 mark through his first five games as a Giant.

Arraez has hit .346 since then.

“He’s found who he is,” Giants manager Tony Vitello said following the Friday contest. “He had some hard-contact outs early in the year. Maybe he didn’t have as much to show for it as maybe he deserved. He’s caught his rhythm.”

–Field Level Media

#Deadspin #Sizzling #baseman #face #Marlins #Giants #meet">Deadspin | Sizzling second baseman face off as Marlins, Giants meet again Apr 17, 2026; Miami, Florida, USA; Miami Marlins second baseman Xavier Edwards (9) hits a single against the Milwaukee Brewers during the third inning at loanDepot Park. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images Two second basemen who have demonstrated early on that they’re serious about making the National League All-Star team hope to continue fast starts at the other’s expense Saturday afternoon when Xavier Edwards and the Miami Marlins once again visit Luis Arraez and the San Francisco Giants. Both players had three hits Friday night, and Edwards’ teammates collected 13 more in a 9-4 triumph during the opener of a three-game series. Miami posted its sixth straight win in San Francisco dating back to August 2024. With a double, two singles and a walk in five plate appearances, Edwards raised his season batting average to .347, the second-best mark in the majors. The three-hit game was the 26-year-old’s second of the season. He has logged multiple hits in 11 of his 26 games. Edwards is finding success despite bouncing around the batting order. He already has been slotted second, fourth and seventh for multiple games this season. He was in the cleanup spot for the Friday contest. “With X’s skill set, it makes it easy for me. I feel like I can put him anywhere with the combination of where other guys are,” Marlins manager Clayton McCullough said this week. “He’s a really good hitter, (and) as he’s continuing to get time in the major leagues, he’s getting better. He’s evolving.” Edwards has never batted against left-hander Robbie Ray (2-3, 2.86 ERA), the Giants’ scheduled Saturday starter. Ray will be making his 11th career start and 12th career appearance against the Marlins, against whom he is 4-5 with a 2.29 ERA. The 34-year-old veteran has been a victim of poor run support in all three of his losses this season. He allowed two runs in a 3-0 defeat to the New York Yankees, both runs in a 2-1 setback at Cincinnati and all three runs in a 3-0 loss at Washington on Sunday in his latest start. Similarly, Marlins right-hander Eury Perez (2-1, 4.15 ERA) has yet to face the Giants in his three-year career. Miami has won four times in five starts by Perez this season, the most of recent of which was his best outing of the young campaign. The 23-year-old held the Milwaukee Brewers to one run, which was unearned, over six innings on Sunday in a 5-3 home victory. Perez will have to deal with a hot-hitting Arraez, who had three singles in five at-bats on Friday. The only time the two faced off previous was last July, when Arraez was playing for the San Diego Padres. Perez induced two groundouts from Arraez, who managed a single. The three hits on Friday raised Arraez’s season average to .320, quite an improvement over his .211 mark through his first five games as a Giant. Arraez has hit .346 since then. “He’s found who he is,” Giants manager Tony Vitello said following the Friday contest. “He had some hard-contact outs early in the year. Maybe he didn’t have as much to show for it as maybe he deserved. He’s caught his rhythm.” –Field Level Media #Deadspin #Sizzling #baseman #face #Marlins #Giants #meet

Post Comment